In many ways, this Troy parcel isn't what it seems. To start, Woods Edge is kind of a misnomer. This house is in the woods, not on the edge. From the road, the gravel drive goes on way longer than necessary for seclusion. I began to wonder if I had taken a wrong turn and what I'd find at the end.

That means the house is secluded, with woods all around and lots of acreage for privacy. Only a fraction is lawn. It's definitely a retreat from just about everything.

Like the name of the road, the home's humble colonial façade also misleads, offering no hint of what's inside– from the ample square footage to a party pad in the basement to five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths.

Although traditional on the outside, having been built just 10 years ago (2000) means that it suits a modern family's needs with lots of living space.

The kitchen opens to a great room whose ceiling rises to the second floo with a catwalk leading to one of the upstairs bedrooms looking over the space. Built-ins and a gas log fireplace nevertheless make the big room family-friendly. A breakfast nook with seating in front of a bay window leads to a screened porch and deck with a hot tub. From here, steps lead down to the large yard.

Although the kitchen is splashy and new, the baths, while roomy, are more utilitarian. Design snobs may want to update counters and fixtures to add a little panache.

The master suite and a second bedroom are on the first floor, but the second "bedroom" is so small it would make more sense as an office. The master isn't huge, either, but its walk-in closet is a real plus, with custom shelving to the ceiling. In the bath, a Jacuzzi-like tub (with a great view), separate shower, and double sinks mean no crowding during the morning routine.

Also on this level are an oversized mudroom and roomy laundry room with space for shelving and storage. All the rooms facing the back of the property offer mountain views.

Upstairs are three additional— and sizable— bedrooms: two share a bath while the third has its own.

The finished basement has been converted to a cavernous party pad, divided into several different zones including a media area, pool table with custom lighting (the new buyer will have to negotiate for the table itself), and a bar. A large full bath offers a walk-in tiled shower with waterfall showerhead. A wood-burning stove keeps things cozy. Most of the flooring down here is gleaming hardwood, although tile surrounds the stove, and carpet delineates the media area.

A separate unfinished area of the basement is a workshop providing plenty of additional utility space.

Out back it's like a summer camp, with a picnic table, horseshoe pit, gargantuan fire pit, and fenced garden plot. A fishpond and a tank to catch rainwater are bonuses. There's plenty of room out here for a brood of noisy teens and their friends, and the secluded location means no neighbors to complain about the ruckus.

This property is ideal for a large family that likes privacy but has a "work hard/play hard" mentality. And if 21 acres aren't enough, a lot of the same size next door is also available.

PHOTOS BY SARAH JACOBSON

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